NCBE
MPRE
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
The NCBE ethics exam required for bar admission in nearly all U.S. jurisdictions. It measures knowledge of the standards governing lawyers' professional conduct, based largely on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Model Code of Judicial Conduct.
Full program: 12 decks, 951 cards.
What's on the exam
NCBE MPRE Subject Matter Outline
Regulation of the Legal Profession
6–12%Powers of courts and other bodies to regulate lawyers · Admission to the profession · Regulation after admission and lawyer discipline · Reporting professional misconduct · Unauthorized practice of law · Multijurisdictional practice · Fee division with a nonlawyer · Law firm and other forms of practice · Responsibilities of partners, managers, supervisory and subordinate lawyers · Restrictions on right to practice
The Client-Lawyer Relationship
10–16%Formation of the relationship · Scope, objective, and means of the representation · Decision-making authority · Counsel and assistance within the bounds of the law · Termination of the relationship · Client-lawyer contracts · Communications with the client · Fees
Client Confidentiality
6–12%Attorney-client privilege · Work-product doctrine · Professional obligation of confidentiality · Disclosures authorized by the client · Other exceptions to the confidentiality rule
Conflicts of Interest
12–18%Current-client conflicts: multiple clients and joint representation · Current-client conflicts: lawyer's personal interest or duties · Former-client conflicts · Prospective-client conflicts · Imputed conflicts · Acquiring an interest in litigation · Business transactions with clients · Third-party compensation and influence · Lawyers currently or formerly in government service · Former judge, arbitrator, mediator, or other third-party neutral
Competence, Legal Malpractice, and Other Civil Liability
6–12%Maintaining competence · Competence necessary to undertake representation · Exercising diligence and care · Civil liability to clients, including malpractice · Civil liability to nonclients · Limiting liability for malpractice · Malpractice insurance and risk prevention
Litigation and Other Forms of Advocacy
10–16%Meritorious claims and contentions · Expediting litigation · Candor to the tribunal · Fairness to opposing party and counsel · Impartiality and decorum of the tribunal · Trial publicity · Lawyer as witness
Transactions and Communications with Persons Other Than Clients
2–8%Truthfulness in statements to others · Communications with represented persons · Communications with unrepresented persons · Respect for rights of third persons
Different Roles of the Lawyer
4–10%Lawyer as advisor · Lawyer as evaluator · Lawyer as negotiator · Lawyer as arbitrator, mediator, or other third-party neutral · Prosecutors and other government lawyers · Lawyer appearing in nonadjudicative proceeding · Lawyer representing an entity or other organization
Safekeeping Funds and Other Property
2–8%Establishing and maintaining client trust accounts · Safekeeping funds and property of clients · Safekeeping funds and property of third persons · Disputed claims
Communications About Legal Services
4–10%Advertising and other public communications · Solicitation: direct contact with prospective clients · Group legal services · Referrals · Communications regarding fields of practice and specialization
Lawyers' Duties to the Public and the Legal System
2–4%Voluntary pro bono service · Accepting appointments · Serving in legal services organizations · Law reform activities affecting client interests · Criticism of judges and adjudicating officials · Political contributions to obtain engagements or appointments · Improper influence on government officials · Assisting judicial misconduct
Judicial Conduct
2–8%Independence and impartiality of the judiciary · Performing judicial duties impartially, competently, and diligently · Ex parte communications · Disqualification · Extrajudicial activities
Frequently asked questions
How much does the MPRE cost?
The MPRE costs $185. NCBE test fee for 2026 and 2027 administrations; confirm any jurisdiction-specific requirements with your bar admission agency.
How long is the MPRE and how many questions does it have?
60 items total; 50 scored, 10 unscored pretest items — Two hours.
What do you need to pass the MPRE?
Scaled score (50–150); each jurisdiction sets its own passing score (typically 75–86).
Can you retake the MPRE?
May be retaken; subject to NCBE registration and jurisdiction policies.
What is the best way to study for the MPRE?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Regulation of the Legal Profession 6–12%, The Client-Lawyer Relationship 10–16%, Client Confidentiality 6–12%, Conflicts of Interest 12–18%, Competence, Legal Malpractice, and Other Civil Liability 6–12%, Litigation and Other Forms of Advocacy 10–16%, Transactions and Communications with Persons Other Than Clients 2–8%, Different Roles of the Lawyer 4–10%, Safekeeping Funds and Other Property 2–8%, Communications About Legal Services 4–10%, Lawyers' Duties to the Public and the Legal System 2–4%, Judicial Conduct 2–8%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our MPRE — Professional Responsibility program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.